BAGHDAD — Iraqis have been able to take charge and save lives thanks to their Advanced First Responder Network (AFRN).

AFRN works the same way the ‘911’ emergency phone service does in the United States, except they dial ‘104’ here. It serves as the backbone emergency communication link between Iraqi citizens and emergency services.

The network has now expanded across the Al Anbar region, decreasing the amount of preventable deaths across Iraq. Installed in 15 major cities, more than 18 million people have access to the system.

“Baghdad leaders depend on this network,” said Iraqi Maj. Gen. Saad, Ministry of Interior director of communication. “This is very important to us.”

With one phone call, trained dispatchers send the emergency messages to the correct responders. Police, fire and emergency services and diplomatic protection services are only some of the services available.

Before the network was created in 2006, Iraqi citizens had to find their own way to get help, explained U.S. Army Capt. Antonio McNutt, AFRN program manager.

“Now the dispatch center is receiving more than 1,400 calls a day in just Baghdad alone and dispatching the right response team,” he said.

The Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq Coalition members turned over control of the AFRN to the government of Iraq in June 2006 so they could independently manage this advanced communication system. The Iraqi Ministry of Interior also took over the financial responsibility for the system, thereby completing the transition to full Iraqi control and operation.

“The best indicator of success is they are utilizing and maintaining the system themselves,” said McNutt. “They have been working to keep it up and running.”

The implementation of the AFRN presented some unique challenges along the way. Some sites could not be accessed due to insurgency problems. A lot of training is also involved while expanding a network and technical challenges currently prevent coverage in all geographical areas.

Despite the challenges, Saad still remains optimistic about the future of the system.

“We will overcome these challenges,” he said. “We are working very hard to troubleshoot these issues.”

The network is currently using only the voice system, but a computer-assisted dispatch system is in the works.

Iraqi Brig. Gen. Ahmed, the AFRN program manager, also hopes to use a fingerprint system through the computer-based network in police vehicles.

“In five minutes through the fingerprints, we would be able to identify who is innocent or not if in case they are stopped by the police,” he said. “Using this system, we can serve the Iraqi people. AFRN is the most beautiful gift from Coalition forces to Iraq.”

Mosul was added to the network just before Anbar. A one-year contract providing maintenance, spare parts, training and technical support is held by Advanced International Electronic Equipment.

The $214 million dollar project is expected to expand to all of Iraq in the next three years. This system is still at the beginning stages, but will expand to become one of the more technologically advanced systems in the world.